By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – A 4-year-old girl died, and a 23-year-old woman was injured in a fire that broke out in Purok Ipil-Ipil, Barangay 1, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday.
Fire Officer 2 Neil Bantillo, chief arson investigator of the San Carlos City Fire Station, said the fire destroyed 26 houses and partially damaged one, as most structures were made of light materials.
Bantillo said the toddler was trapped in a bedroom when the fire started at 3:03 p.m.
She had been sleeping with her two siblings and grandmother when they became aware of the fire.
Her 6-year-old sibling ran out of the house, while their grandmother managed to carry her 2-year-old sibling to safety.
The grandmother attempted to rescue the 4-year-old, but the flames had already grown too large.
Bantillo said panic may have prevented the grandmother from realizing that her granddaughter was still inside.
A neighbor sustained first-degree burns while attempting to save her valuables.
Bantillo said the fire started in an unoccupied house, as the owner was attending a funeral at the time.
Since the area is densely populated with informal settlers, firefighters struggled to access the scene.
Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze but are looking into a possible electrical ignition.
Bantillo said this was the biggest fire reported in the area in recent years.
Fire victims are temporarily staying in an evacuation center and have received assistance from the barangay and city government.
Bantillo estimated the fire caused PHP375,000 worth of property damage.
Authorities declared the fire out at 4:37 p.m.
